Massachusetts 2-1-1
www.mass211help.org
What is Mass 2-1-1?
• 2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number that links
people who need help to people who can give help.
• 2-1-1 connects you to important community services from food, clothing, and shelter assistance to
counseling, legal and financial services.
• The mission of 2-1-1 is to build Massachusetts capacity
to strengthen the way people access help for every day
needs and in times of crisis.
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How did 2-1-1 happen?
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigned 2-1-1
on July 21, 2000, stating:
"We find that the Information & Referral Petitioners have demonstrated
sufficient public benefits to justify use of a scarce public resource and
we therefore assign 2-1-1 to be used for access to community
information and referral services.“
• Mass211 began July 1, 2006 and was contracted to an existing
call center that could provide statewide I&R services.
• On July 1, 2009, the United Way of Tri-County was contracted to
provide fiscal and operational oversight by the Mass211 Board of
Directors.
• At that time, Mass211 became a program service of your local
United Way.
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How is Mass 2-1-1 Funded?
Mass 2-1-1 is currently funded by:
•
18 local United Ways
•
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
(MEMA)
•
Department of Public Health (contractual basis)
•
Department of Early Education and Care
(statewide child care I&R and subsidy waitlist
management)
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The Cost Savings of 2-1-1:
• A national cost/benefit analysis conducted by the
University of Texas estimates a net value to society of a
national 2-1-1 system approaching $130 million in the first
year alone and a conservative estimate of $1.1 billion over
ten years.
• There is greater opportunity to maximize resources as the
2-1-1 call centers — and the public and nonprofit agencies
to which they make referrals — recognize the
complementary features of their service delivery systems.
“. . . the national 2-1-1 effort is ripe for enhanced public-private sector collaboration. ”
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Benefits for Your Organization:
• Help for providers: a great resource for your staff, with 2535% of human service professionals calling to access
information to help their clients. It is a free and time saving tool
for those trying to help people.
• Information at your fingertips: search the database online to
find information about all of our community services in MA by
visiting www.mass211help.org
• Extend your reach: each month the call center receives over
6,500 calls from local residents who need help. Help us direct
prospective clients to your organization by updating your
agency’s record in the 2-1-1 database. Visit mass211help.org
and log in or create a new account in the Provider Portal.
• Current, accurate information: Dedicated staff maintain the
2-1-1 database as a comprehensive, continuously updated
resource. We work with you to update each non-profit record at
least once a year to ensure referrals are accurate.
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Benefits for Your Clients:
• Easy access to thousands of services: 2-1-1 helps residents
navigate the health and human services including basic human needs,
childcare, physical and mental health resources, employment, support
for seniors assistance for utilities, and more.
• Confidential: 2-1-1 provides confidential and anonymous help for any
situation.
• Help in many languages: 2-1-1 helps non-English speaking people
get comprehensive health and human service information.
• A sense of hope: In addition to providing referrals 2-1-1 gives callers a
sense of confidence by educating them about their options.
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Community benefits:
•
Official Emergency Information: Mass211 is designated by MEMA as
the official number for receiving vital information in time of emergency,
disaster, or crisis. All residents of the Commonwealth can call 211 for
critical up-to-date emergency information.
•
Official H1N1 and Haitian Earthquake Information: DPH contracted
Mass211 to provide official information and referrals for both of these
community issues.
•
Official MA flooding and Water crisis Information: MEMA contracted
Mass211 to provide official information and referrals for the cities and
towns affected.
•
EEC contracts Mass211 to provide statewide I&R for early education
and care resources .
•
Relief for 9-1-1: 211 reduces non-emergency calls to 911, saving that
vital community resource for life and death emergencies.
Please remember: to save a life, stop a crime, or report a fire, dial 9-1-1.
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Mass 2-1-1 Call Center:
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• FREE call
• Confidential call
• Multilingual/TTY services available
• Online at www.mass211help.org
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Community Outreach
Partnering with 18 United Ways across the state
Increasing engagement of these United Ways through their campaigns, material
distribution, and community impact
Continuing 211 educational presentations with local community groups, coalitions and
business forums
Outreaching to local human service providers, emergency management directors, and
local and state officials
Building capacity of Mass211 by:
Increasing the number of providers in the database
Updating information of those already in the database
Partnering with local groups to exchange and share information with their
regional databases
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www.mass211help.org
Public Website that allows you to search by:
• Keyword
• Agency name
• Topic
• Location
Other Features:
• Personalized resource lists (sign in options)
• Online agency updating and statistics (Provider
Portal)
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Call Volume and recent activity
The greatest number of calls come from the Boston and Springfield areas.
More women call than men (3:1)
The greatest number of calls are from 25-34 year olds
Call volume for FY2009 was 40,000
Call volume not including disaster through June FY2010 was over 62,000
and over 80,000 in FY 2011
During the water crisis in May more than 14,000 calls were received in 3
days.
Call volume July 2009 – June 2010, including disaster related calls totaled
more than 102,000 calls
211 continues to work with FEMA and MA VOAD in long term recovery for the
floods that occurred in MA during March, 2010 and June 2011 tornadoes
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Child Care I&R
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Mission Statement
Provide information, support and connection to
programs that support children in their
development as lifelong learners and supports
families in their essential work as parents and
caregivers.
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We help with:
 Types of child care that are available
 Tips on choosing child care providers
 Questions to ask of a child care provider
 Questions concerning the voucher program
 Help with getting on the waitlist for subsidy assistance
 Referrals to child care providers in your area
 Information on the child care system
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Mass211 Contacts
VP, Mass211:
Gary Lever
• 508.370.4868
• mass211@gmail.com
Mass211 Director of Child Care/ Special Projects,
Lynne Pizette
• 508.370.4862
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We look forward to working with you.